School Budget

Watertown School Budget Includes Staff Cuts Despite Increasing Funds

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The Watertown Schools will lose several positions in the 2017-18 school year as school officials look to control the increasing costs, but classes will still be under the class-size guidelines in the elementary schools. Interim Superintendent John Brackett presented the budget to the School Committee Monday night. The total budget would be $45.71 million, which is 5 percent above the current year’s budget. It comes in more than $700,000 below the requests from principals and department heads. Interim Business Manager Mary DeLai said that four percent of the increase comes from staff salary and compensation.

Schools

Donations Being Accepted for Watertown High All-Night Graduation Party

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The Watertown High School PTSO is once again hosting the All Night Party for Graduating Seniors. It’s a night of entertainment, food and fun while keeping the seniors in a safe environment on graduation night. We are accepting donations of gift cards and food for the event. If you would like to make a donation let us know at watertownptso@gmail.com. If you would to make a monetary donation; check can be made payable to WHS PTSO and mailed to Watertown High School 50 Columbia Street or make a donation online at www.YouCaring.com/Classof2017-watertown-high-school.

Schools

Register for Watertown Adult & Community Ed Classes, Town Wide Yard Sale

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Watertown Adult and Community Education is now registering for Spring classes. Classes begin on April 27, and include courses in arts & crafts, TV production, technology, movement & fitness and more. There are also online courses that Watertown residents can take advantage of. People may register by mail or drop off registrations at Watertown High School, 50 Columbia St., Watertown

View the Adult and Community Education courses and find out how to register by clicking here. Any questions, contact Rita Foglia, Program Coordinator at rita.foglia@watertown.k12.ma.us or 617-926-7764.

Schools

Parent Group to Honor Those Who Helped Special Education in Watertown

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The 2017 Annual SEPAC Awards Night featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. William W. Henderson will be at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, April 12, 2017  6 p.m., the group announced. “This is an uplifting evening to honor all that is great in Special Education in Watertown. We have many dedicated people in our schools and the community,” Watertown SEPAC said in its announcement. Join us to recognize and honor those who have been influential in our children’s lives.  

The 2017 SEPAC Award Recipients are:

Andrew Allegro

Ellen Basile

Shane Carreiro

Kacie Kirkpatrick

Anita Lawson

 

Community Awards

George Donahue, lifetime mentor to young people with disabilities

Jasmin Hernandez, fifth-grade student at the Hosmer School

 

Marilyn Micco Parent Award

Brenda Manning

Schools

Superintendent Coffee Scheduled for Wednesday Night

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Watertown Interim Superintendent John Brackett invites parents and residents to an evening Superintendent Coffee. The coffee is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the Data and Innovation Lab on the 3rd Floor of the Phillips Building. This is the rescheduled evening session from earlier this month. There will not be a morning session this Wednesday. The final scheduled Superintendent Coffee is on April 26 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Entertainment

Come Hear Watertown Musicians, Young and Old, at MusicFest

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The Friends of Watertown Music (FoWM) presents its 6th annual MusicFest fundraiser, Friday, March 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverly Avenue, Watertown, MA. The event features over fifty performances by musicians by students, community members, and professional musicians, and an instrument petting zoo. Proceeds benefit the music program of the Watertown Public Schools. Suggested donations are $8/person and $25/family. T-shirts and other merchandise, pizza, and baked goods will also be on sale.

Minuteman High School

Minuteman High School Coming to Watertown for Information Night

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NOTE: Due to the snow storm, the meeting has been rescheduled to March 21 at 7 p.m.

Find out about Minuteman Technical High School at an information night to be held in Watertown. Students, parents and others interested in learning about the vocational school can attend the event on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, from 7-8 p.m. at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown. Representatives will provide an overview on Minuteman’s technical programs, explain the benefits of attending the school and explain the process for applying for admission.

Good Friday

Watertown School Calendar Includes Classes on Good Friday in 2018

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The School Committee approved the 2017-18 school calendar for the Watertown Public Schools, and it includes some changes from past years, including that school will be in session on Good Friday. 

Whether to have school on one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar was debated by school administrators because having that day off would push back the last day of class into the last week of June and because there are no other days off for religious holidays for any religion, said Interim Superintendent John Brackett. “I am cognizant of traditions and traditionally Good Friday has not been a school day, and that Good Friday, for many families remains a very important day within their religion,” Brackett said. He added, however, that the Watertown Schools celebrate the diversity of all students in the schools. He pointed to the recent statement released by the schools after President Trump signed the Executive Order banning travel into the U.S. by people of several countries. The statement read, in part: “We treat all students with respect, have high expectations for all, want parents to be our partners, and expect students, educators, and parents to respect the unique qualities that characterize each of us.  Together, we build and support a diverse and respectful community.”